Monthly Archives: October 2011

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Enrica Guidato from Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) in Florence, Italy, will be staffing an informational table in the VCU School of the Arts building located at 1000 W. Broad Street on Friday, October 28 from 11-12:30 for students who are interested in studying abroad for a semester or summer. SRISA offers courses in a variety of disciplines including Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Design and Italian language. For more information, please contact abroad@vcu.edu or call 804-827-7882.

The World Affairs Council of Greater Richmond (WAC), a nonprofit organization with a mission to educate and inform citizens of Central Virginia about the importance of international affairs and to bring them into direct contact with influential personalities in the field, is pleased to announce a presentation tomorrow 27 October that will begin at the Jefferson Hotel on E. Franklin St. at 5h00.
“The Bin Laden Aftermath” will be presented by Brian Katulis, Senior Fellow at The Center for American Progress, and Daveed Gartenstein-Ross, Director of the Center for the Study of Terrorist Radicalization, and will analyze the aftermath of bin Laden’s death and its implications on domestic and foreign policy.
Registration for students who call (804.934.9000) before the day of the program is free for most WAC events. Registration the day of the event and at the door is $10.

Attention students interested studying abroad in Germany this summer! DAAD offers 2 summer grants to help finance your travels: the University Summer course grant and the Intensive Language course grant.
The Summer Course Grant, which provides scholarships to students to attend a wide range of 3- to 4-week summer courses at German universities. These courses focus mainly on literary, cultural, political and economic aspects of modern and contemporary Germany. There are also many extracurricular programs that compliment and reinforce what is learned in class.
For additional information on this grant and application details, visit: www.daad.org/?p=summercourse
The Intensive Language Course grant provides scholarships to graduate students in North America to attend 8-week intensive language courses at leading institutes in Germany.
For additional information on this grant and application details, visit: www.daad.org/?p=languagecourses
The deadline for both these grants is 15 December.

Mr. Jeff Wing, Director of the National Scholarship Office, will be holding an information session about different national scholarship opportunities available to VCU students on Monday, October 31, 2011 at noon in Room 1303 at The Honors College (701 W. Grace Street). Mr. Wing will give an overview of nationally competitive scholarships and discuss what students can do to prepare for these competitions and make themselves more competitive for the best graduate schools, jobs, etc. First and second year students are especially encouraged to attend.
Successful candidates for these awards often have been planning their applications since early in their college careers. Whether you already have begun to think about national scholarship opportunities or you are just curious regarding what it takes to compete for these awards, please join us to learn more. A second national scholarship information session will be held on Tuesday, November 8, at 12:30p in Room 1303 at The Honors College (701 W. Grace Street).
If you have any questions, please email honorsnso@vcu.edu.

The 2012-2013 Teaching Assistant Program in France has just opened its application. This program, sponsored by the French government, offers you the opportunity to work in France teaching English for 7 months. Each year approximately 1,500 American citizens are selected to teach English in public schools across France and France’s overseas departments (French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion).Duties: Assistants are assigned 12-hour work weeks teaching English (this may be divided among up to 3 schools). The teaching assistant may conduct all or part of a class, typically charged with leading conversations in English. Other duties may include: serving as a resource person in conversation groups, providing small group tutorials and giving talks related to American studies in English classes. Assignments vary depending upon individual school needs, the assistant’s abilities and the educational level at which he or she is assigned (elementary or secondary).
Program Length: All contracts begin 1 October 2012 and end 30 April 2013.
Eligibility: Successful applications will meet the following criteria:
– Citizenship: Must be an American citizen or a foreign national with a US Green Card. French nationals and French-American dual citizens are not eligible to apply.
– Age: Must be between 20 and 30 years old at the beginning of placement (1 October 2012).
– Education: Must have completed at least 2 years of higher education by the beginning of the program (1 October 2012).
– Background: Must have completed the majority of elementary, secondary and higher education within the US.
– Language Skills: Must be a native speaker of English. Additionally, French proficiency is required (applicant must possess a minimum B1 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). French majors and minors are encouraged to apply. Candidates without a major or minor may apply if they have developed at least a basic proficiency in French (approximately 3 college semesters) and/or if they have lived abroad in a Francophone country.
To Apply: The online application for the 2012-2013 Teaching Assistant Program is available online. The application deadline is 15 January 2012.
Applicants will be notified in early April if they have been selected. Acceptance emails will specify the location of student placement. All placements are final. If accepted, awards cannot be deferred to the following academic year.
If you have any questions, please consult the section for perspective applicants on the the program website or email assistant.washington-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr.

If a study abroad program were a vehicle to help end poverty, would you go?ThinkImpact is a study abroad program provider that offers unique immersion social entrepreneurship education programs in rural communities in Africa’s developing economies. In these programs, students live and work alongside community members in rural communities in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa.
Join ThinkImpact this summer on the 2012 Innovation Institute, the premier social entrepreneurship education program for college students and young professionals in rural Africa. Learn about a new culture while exploring entrepreneurship in emerging economies. The 2012 Institute runs from June 20 to August 12. Early application deadline is December 20th at 11:59pm EST.
If you are interested in joining ThinkImpact this summer in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda or South Africa, you can apply online.
What this means for you:
– Early application review and special consideration
– Study social entrepreneurship for 8 weeks this summer
– Explore new thinking on poverty and international development
– Create business solutions to challenges in emerging economies
– Live in a rural village with a host family
– Be part of a diverse team
– Launch ideas in the real world
Applications are due by 20 December 2011.

Good news for those of you who were meaning to turn your research proposals into the 17th Annual Student Research Conference hosted by the School of World Studies and the Global Education Office: the deadline has been pushed back! You now have until Tuesday 1 November to send in your proposals for the conference.
This conference invites undergraduate and graduate students form all disciplines to submit proposals for presentations lasting 15 minutes and focused on topics relating to the fields of anthropology, foreign languages, international studies or religious studies. Proposals will be accepted for past research papers and projects, in-progress research or roundtable discussions. VCU faculty members will serve as chairs and discussants for panel discussions. The conference will be free and open to the public.
Please be sure to include the following in your proposal:
– Name
– Email
– Project Title
– Major(s)
– An brief abstract detailing your work
Proposals can be submitted electronically at wsrc@vcu.edu or delivered in person or via mail at:
VCU School of World Studies
312 N. Shafer St.
Richmond, VA 230220

VCU International Partnership Universities Exchange
VCU students interested in studying at the University of Guadalajara (UDG), Mexico through the VCU International Partnership Universities exchange program are invited to apply for a scholarship worth over $4,000 in total to cover expenses during the spring 2012 semester exchange. This scholarship includes approximately $1800 in funding from the University of Guadalajara for meals and housing, and up to $3000 from the VCU Global Education Office for other expenses.When: Spring semester 2012 (approx. dates: February 1 – July 1, 2012)
Cost and amount of scholarship: Student will pay VCU standard tuition and fees for the spring semester and will receive a check for $25,000 Mexican pesos (approximately $1800 US dollars) from University of Guadalajara (UDG) upon arrival, before classes begin, to cover housing and meals. Students are responsible for budgeting the scholarship to cover their living costs. All participants in the International Partnership Universities exchange program must pay a $150 Global Education Office fee at the time of application. Recipients will also receive up to $3,000 in VCU scholarship funds sponsored by the Global Education Office International Priorities fund. Students will be responsible for the cost of airfare, passport, immunizations, visa, and other miscellaneous expenses.Eligibility: Applicants must have at least a minimum 2.75 GPA. Students must either be proficient in Spanish (having completed 9 credits of 300-level coursework by spring 2012) OR be interested in taking marketing or business classes which are taught in English (see English-taught Business listing below).Curriculum: Students with sufficient Spanish proficiency may enroll in any courses at one of the six University Centers based in Guadalajara or one of the eight Regional University Centers throughout the state of Jalisco. Students must meet with an Education Abroad advisor to determine the courses they will take abroad and with their academic advisor for pre-approval of VCU course equivalencies. Students with little or no Spanish language may enroll in Business courses taught in English at the Centro Universitario de Ciencias Economico Administrativas.
Business courses taught in English through the Centro Universitario de Ciencias Economico Administrativas (School of Business):
“Cultural Differences”
“Strategic Planning (Marketing)”
“Strategic Plan of International Business”
“Global Competition”
“External Trade”
“International Marketing”
Students with at least 9 credits of 300-level Spanish by spring 2012 may enroll in one of the six University Centers based in Guadalajara or one of the eight Regional University
Centers throughout the state of Jalisco:
Centros Universitarios (in Guadalajara)CUAAD- Arte, Arquitectura y Diseno CUCS- Ciencias de la Salud CUCEI- Ciencias Exactas IngenieriasCUCBA- Ciencias Biologicas y Agropecuarias CUCEA- Ciencias Economico Administrativas CUCSH- Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades
Centros Universitarios Regionales (throughout state of Jalisco):CUALTOS- Tepatitlan de Morelos CUCIENEGA- Ocotlan CUCOSTA- Puerto Vallarta CULAGOS- Lagos de Moreno CUCSUR- Autlan de Navarro CUNORTE- Colotlan CUSUR- Ciudad Guzman CUVALLES- Ameca To apply: If you are interested in this scholarship opportunity, please email a letter of interest (written in English and Spanish if you intend to take courses taught in Spanish) and one letter of support/reference from your academic department to Ms. Stephanie Davenport, Director of Education Abroad at davenportse@vcu.edu by 28 October 2011.
Millions of Americans visit Mexico safely each year. However, crime and violence affect many parts of the country. Recent press coverage focused on pockets of high crime in Mexico may give a misleading impression. Guadalajara has a lower crime rate than cities of similar size in the U.S. and offers many advantages to student travelers. For more information, consult the following resources:
Guadalajara Fast Facts from Frommers: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/guadalajara/0038020157.html
Overseas Security Advisory Council Mexico 2011 Crime and Safety Report for Guadalajara: https://www.osac.gov/Pages/ContentReportDetails.aspx?cid=10436

Dear Returning Students:
You are invited to give a presentation about your experience abroad at the 17th annual Student Research Conference hosted by the Global Education Office and the School of World Studies. Each year, the Study Abroad Hall is reserved for returning students to present on their experiences and what they learned, answer questions, and encourage others to go abroad. This year’s conference will be held November 18, 2011 from 9 AM to 4 PM in the Richmond Salons of the student commons.

If you are interested please respond to wsrc@vcu.edu with your name, preferred email address, where you studied, your academic major, and a brief paragraph describing your experience. Also include your availability or preferred presentation time for the day of the conference. Responses due by Monday, Oct. 25, 2011.

Students from the DC, MD and VA metropolitan area are invited to attend the Life After Study Abroad Conference to be held in DC this month.Saturday October 22, 2011
12:30pm – 7:00pm The Marvin Center, 3rd Floor
The George Washington University
800 21st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
This is a professional-style conference that aims to help students maximize the potential of their international experience. Learn how to utilize all the experiences and knowledge gained abroad in fulfilling your future personal and professional endeavors. This years program includes:

Panels comprised of professionals in international fields who will highlight how to develop an international career and find ways to teach and volunteer abroad, and

Interactive workshops around themes of applying international experience

Discussion sessions for students to engage with peers surrounding topics relevant to their international experience